Green Impact Universities
Energy Audit Checklist
Introduction
Conducting energy audits on a regular basis helps identify energy waste and identify
opportunities for improving energy practices. This aids carbon emission reductions, can make
working environments more comfortable, ensures Health and Safety guidelines are met and
helps improve communications between your estates department and the people that work in
your building.
On the following pages is an example of an audit checklist. It is designed to stimulate
questions about energy practices. Please feel free to use or amend this checklist. Not all
questions will be applicable in your department but we’ve tried to make them as relevant to as
many people as we can. Some questions may be difficult to answer without external help (e.g.
is there roof insulation?). However, these questions are still worth asking as issues may have
been overlooked.
Most of the measures are simple good housekeeping measures which can be implemented
immediately. Other measures are low cost (e.g. fitting timers, pipe insulation or draught
proofing) and will involve some expenditure and/or contacting estates.
If you have any questions regarding carrying out an energy audit please contact the
University’s acting Energy Manager, Chrispal Anand on cpa4@le.ac.uk or ex: 2308.
1. Basic Information
Date of energy audit:
Department/Building/Area covered:
Persons conducting audit:
Normal occupancy hours of building:
Cleaning times:
2. Lighting
Are any tungsten lights present? Can they be
replaced with compact fluorescents (energy
saving bulbs)? Look particularly in store rooms,
uplighters, desk lamps etc.
If there are several light switches, can they be
labeled to make it more obvious which switches
relate to which appliances?
Can lights be switched off to make use of
daylight? (e.g. lights parallel to windows or in
corridors)
If space is intermittently occupied (e.g. store
rooms, toilets, kitchen areas, copying rooms,
corridors) is there scope for automatic lighting
controls?
Are any external lights on during daylight hours?
Can main lighting ever be switched off and use
made of desk lamps?
Do any light fittings need cleaning?
Do windows and skylights need cleaning to allow
in more natural light?
3. Heating
What is the actual temperature in the space?
Does the temperature vary much during the
day?
Do occupants complain it is too hot or too cold?
If there are Thermostatic Radiator Valves
(TRVs), are they set correctly? Do they actually
work or are they broken?
Are radiators effective and giving consistent
heat? They may need bleeding of air or
maintenance to remove dust and sediment.
If the room tends to overheat, is there any bare
pipework that could be insulated?
Are radiators blocked by boxes and furniture
restricting air circulation?
Are portable electric heaters in use? If so, why is
the heating system not adequate?
If there are permanent electric heaters with
individual temperature and time control, are
they set correctly?
Are external doors and windows closed when
heating is on?
Are any window panes cracked or broken?
Is there evidence of problems with double
glazing (e.g. moisture between panes).
Is there adequate draught proofing on windows
and external doors?
If there is a roof space, is it insulated?
Are blinds closed at the end of the day during
winter to cut down on heat loss?
Is heating or air conditioning on in unused
spaces, such as cupboards, corridors?
4. Cooling and Ventilation
If there is air conditioning with local controls,
make sure it is only on when necessary. Is it
obvious how to control it? What temperature is it
set to?
Is air conditioning running at the same time as
heating?
Could the building reduce heat by closing blinds
or fitting reflective film to windows which reduce
solar gain? Remember, unnecessary lights and
electrical equipment also produce heat.
Are all external doors and windows closed when
air conditioning is on?
Are you making the most of natural ventilation?
Opening windows overnight in the summer,
where it doesn’t present a security risk, will help
cool the building down and reduce the need for
air conditioning.
Is heating or air conditioning on in unused
spaces, such as cupboards, corridors?
5. Electrical Equipment
Are computers, printers, photocopiers and other
equipment switched off at the end of the day?
Can screens and other equipment be switched
off during the day?
Can computers be programmed to ‘power down’
mode?
Can standby settings be avoided? (e.g. TVs, LCD
projectors, printers etc.)
Are photocopiers, fax machines and other
equipment on ‘Energy Saver’ mode during the
day?
Are photocopiers in a well ventilated area – not
where there is air conditioning?
Can a 7 day timer be put on some equipment?
(e.g. photocopiers, water coolers, cold drinks
machines). These cost less than £10 and can be
purchased online or from electrical and
homeware shops.
Can any equipment be switched on later and
switched off earlier?
Could timers be fitted to water coolers?
Are kettles overfilled for hot drinks?
Can kettles be removed if there is a wall
mounted boiler?
Are fridges places next to heat sources? They
run more efficiently when in a cool environment.
Is the office fridge/freezer defrosted regularly?
Is the fridge thermostat working and set to the
right temperature (2-4 °C)?
Are microwaves switched off at the plug after
use?
Is equipment clearly labeled so that staff know
how to activate energy saving features or switch
it off?
6. Water Use
Is there any evidence of water leaks? (e.g. wet
pathways on a dry day)
Are taps left running? Are there any dripping
taps? Do taps need maintenance?
Is there scope for push button taps?
Are hot water heater timers set correctly?
If there is no timer should one be fitted?
Is water escaping from overflows either inside or
outside buildings?
7. Awareness
Are there posters/guidance displayed to
remind people of good practice?
Would it be of benefit to have a formal energy
audit with a member of the estates team?